Gerri Lynn Anderson, 54, was born on December 26, 1971 to Jerry Samples and Kathryn Johnson Samples in Ridgecrest, California and passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Noble, Louisiana. The family will have a memorial service to honor her at a later date.

Gerri was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Kathryn Samples and stepmom, Phyllis Remedies. She is survived by her husband, Orland Anderson; sons, Rayford Bergeron, Matthew Bergeron and wife, Dana, Justin Samples and wife, Angel, and Jack Anderson and wife, Hollie; daughter, Seryna Anderson and significant other, Tyler Berg; stepsister, Charlette Rivers and husband, Joel; brother, Thomas Dollar; stepbrother, John Remedies and wife, Kayla; many grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services and care provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Anthony Hugh Brown, 49, was held on May 24at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle. An inurnment followed at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Officiating the service was Father Timothy Hurd.

Anthony was born March 29, 1976 in Columbus, Georgia and passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He spent most of his childhood living in Chicago, Illinois, becoming an enthused Chicago Bears football and Star Wars fan. Anthony’s most cherished memories were spent in Iowa with his grandparents.

After completing high school, Anthony enlisted in the army where he gained his training as a surgical technician leading to many adventures in the medical field. He was passionate about everything he did, whether it was taking a photograph or cooking delicious meals for family and friends. He enjoyed music of all genres and lived in the moment, which led to many trips around the world.

Anthony is preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents and sister, Christine Brown. Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Lawrence and Relda Brown of Maplewood, Minnesota; his children, Gabrielle Brown-Torres of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Blaise Brown of Zwolle, Louisiana, and Olivia Brown of Zwolle, Louisiana; sister, Laura Brown Bridges; grandson, Carlo Clark-Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and close friends.

Stanley Michael Vines, 67, of Many, Louisiana passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The family will be having a private memorial service for close friends and family at a later date.

Stan was a graduate of Louisiana State University and enjoyed jobs that took him on unique travels around the world. He shared a simple nature and appreciation for life’s small wonders. He had a passion for Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and structures. He possessed a talent for drafting, landscaping, and drawing in his earlier life. He also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and researching his family history.

Stan is preceded in death by his parents, Ivy Lee and Lillian Michael Vines and a special aunt, Alice Micael. He leaves to cherish his memory two brothers, Greg Vines of Shreveport, Louisiana and Chris Vines and wife, Susan, of Benton, Louisiana; cousin, Karen Springer Womack; and special friend, Ronnie Neal and wife, Diane.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Kayla Hataway.

You are now home and at peace in your forever home. Fly high my brother.

Services and care provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

The Sabine Parish Tax Assessor’s Office recently congratulated the Ebarb High School Rebels baseball team on winning the 2024 LHSAA Class C State Championship.

In their first-ever title game appearance, the Rebels secured a victory in the championship held in Sulphur.

The Tax Assessor’s Office praised the team for their hard work and sportsmanship, calling them a source of pride for the entire parish.

Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announces Sabine Parish Sheriff Deputy Eddie Jones Jr. graduated from Class 58 of the Caddo Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy on May 20. Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office held the graduation ceremony at Calvary Baptist Church on Linwood Avenue in Shreveport.

Deputy Jones received his Level 1 P.O.S.T. Basic Peace Officer certification by completing the 14 week training academy in south Caddo Parish. Deputy Jones received the Leadership Award presented by Sheriff Whitehorn and was chosen to speak at graduation.

Graduates from eight law enforcement agencies from northwest Louisiana participated in the event. They took the oath of office, received their badges, and took part in a special ceremony where family and friends assisted them in pinning their badges for the first time. Class participants completed over 516 hours of peace officer training in various areas, including law, patrol activities, traffic services, report writing, investigations, firearms, first aid, and criminal justice.

Deputy Jones is currently assigned to the Uniform Civil Division under Captain Keith Gentry.

Sheriff Mitchell, Chief Deputy Brad Walker, Captain Jesse Branam, Captain Gentry, and Captain Brennan Jones were in attendance to congratulate Deputy Jones. Sheriff Mitchell commends Deputy Jones for his dedication and commitment to the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Sabine Parish.

The Many Police Department recently received a generous donation from the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railroad in support of its annual Shop With A Cop program.

Agent Barry Spinney with CPKC made a special visit to the police department to personally present the contribution. The donation will go toward helping local children and families during the holiday season through the Shop With A Cop initiative, which pairs officers with children for a memorable day of holiday shopping.

Department officials expressed their gratitude for the support, noting that contributions like these make a lasting impact in the community.

“We’re thankful to CPKC for investing in our youth and helping spread some joy this season,” said a representative from Many PD.

Residents are encouraged to remember CPKC’s generosity the next time they see one of the company’s trains passing through town.

By Steve Graf    

In today’s tournament bass fishing world, if you listen closely, you’ll hear the music to the popular soap opera TV series “The Young and the Restless” or maybe “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Today we’ll take a look at all the drama tournament bass fishing is going through that would make any soaps fan jealous.

If you noticed, I was not specific to professional bass fishing. That’s because there’s drama on all levels of tournament bass fishing. Whether it’s a local bass club event, BFL’s, ABA’s, Toyota Series or a benefit tournament, no event is immune to drama.

People have often asked why all the drama today? Well, I personally think a lot of this started when the Bassmaster Elite Series decided to split with over 80 anglers jumping over to the newly formed MLF, known as Major League Fishing.

Tensions were high during this split in 2018 as anglers made career decisions on whether to stay with B.A.S.S. or go to MLF. Friendships were lost and enemies created over these decisions.

This split was similar to what happened with professional golf as the PGA Tour and the LIV Tour created a lot of drama as golfers made decisions based on the opportunity to earn more guaranteed money.

Social media has thrived with controversy swirling around tournament anglers. Disqualifications for rules violations by highly-regarded anglers has had both of the professional organizations dealing with constant negativity.

The “no information” rule has also been a problem as anglers have been failing polygraph exams. There’s also been controversy with anglers cheating when catching bass outside the mouth when site fishing, which is a rules violation.

But in today’s world, bad behavior is rewarded with social media clicks. Anglers know that it’s all about how many “views” or “likes” they can gather on social media which draws more attention to them and their sponsors.

It goes back to the adage, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” Sponsors of both B.A.S.S. and MLF have learned to turn their heads when it comes to bad behavior with anglers not following the rules.

So, back to our original question — is social media good or bad for competitive bass fishing? It all depends on who you ask. As far as the sport of bass fishing goes, I think it has been both good and bad. The good part has been the amount of information anglers can get about a particular body of water. It can also be a great place to share fishing information and celebrate a recent victory or a high finish.

The bad side of social media is when people spread gossip; most of which is not true. They use it for what I call “feeding the beast.” It has also been known as a place where people vent their frustrations and express their feelings waiting on anyone to respond so they can engage in hate.

Like so many other things in today’s world, social media divides us and has become a landing spot for negativity. It’s up to us as individuals if we want to participate in the hostility or just keep on scrolling.

‘Til next time, good luck with your fishing and stay safe.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

By Doug De Graffenried

This is a nostalgic opinion quiz for you.

In the 1960’s, who was the worst law enforcement officer depicted by television?

That is an easy one, right? I’m wondering how many of you thought that must be Barney Fife. Barney was the deputy to the wise and calm Andy Taylor, the sheriff of Mayberry. If trouble could happen, it would happen to Barney. Barney was allowed only one bullet for his gun. The bullet was kept in this shirt pocket, not in his service revolver. One of the recurrent gags was Barney accidentally firing his revolver. If an episode had mayhem, somehow Barney was in the middle of the mess. Most of the mess-ups in Mayberry were resolved in the thirty minutes of the sit-com. Barney would learn his lesson and we would tune in next week.

But my candidate for worst law enforcement officer in the television world of the 1960’s was Lt. Tragg, the foil of Perry Mason. Because Perry never lost a case, we knew that the person Lt. Tragg arrested was innocent. This detective of the Los Angeles police department was proven wrong every week. There were times that I felt sympathy for Lt. Tragg. He was depicted as a decent, moral, hard-working detective. His deductions were always spot on. The Perry Mason episodes were produced before the advent of forensic investigations. If there were fingerprints on a weapon, that was the guilty party. Or if the gun was registered to someone, they were certainly a prime suspect. Lt. Tragg never won! He was a loser each week! Although, he always held is on as a witness for the prosecution!

I get that Barney and Lt. Tragg are fictional characters. I understand the formulas that are a part of successful television shows. But sometimes an idea pops out of the strangest place. A clown character (Barney) or a perpetual loser (Lt. Tragg) can become examples of exemplary attributes.

I think both characters illustrate for me the Biblical concept of perseverance. Barney and Lt. Tragg go to work every day. They do their jobs. They show up. (Yes, I know they are fictional characters.)

One of the overlooked dynamics of our faith journey is the idea of perseverance. We are called to stick it out and to stick with it. We are called to follow Jesus with our last step. That is never giving in or never giving out.

Jesus said, “By your perseverance you will gain your souls.” (Luke 21:19) That means keeping on! So, get out there and keep on living for Jesus.

The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present the program “Fiddlin’ with the Finest! A Celebration of Louisiana Folk Fiddling” Saturday June 14 at 11 a.m. at the Many Depot Museum at 750 Highway 171 Bypass in Many. The event is free and open to the public.

Three past Louisiana State Fiddle Champions, Clancey Stewart, Joe Suchanek, and Ron Yule, will discuss the importance of the folk fiddling tradition with Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center and professor of English at NSU. Live music performed throughout the program will include various regional fiddle styles accompanied by demonstrations of fiddle stick playing and twin fiddling. A Q&A session on participating in fiddle competitions will follow. Fiddlers of all skill levels are invited to bring their instruments for a jam session with the invited musicians.

This year’s Louisiana State Fiddle Championship will take place as part of the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival, to be held on Saturday July 19 at 1 p.m. in the Magale Recital Hall on the NSU campus. Fiddlers may compete in the championship or non-championship division as well as in the twin fiddle category. Registration is at noon in the first-floor foyer outside the Magale Recital Hall. The Fiddle Championship winner will perform on the Festival main stage in Prather Coliseum at 5 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, Cleco, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana.

The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email
folklife@nsula.edu, or go to nsula.edu/folklife.

By Brad Dison

Louise Ciccone was born in 1958 in Bay City, Michigan to Tony and Louise Ciccone. Because she shared the same name as her mother, her five siblings called her Little Nonnie. Little Nonnie was five years old when her mother died from breast cancer. Her father was a hard worker but struggled to provide for his large family. When one of the kids wanted something, Tony replied, “Get a job. I’m not paying for it.” Tony could barely afford the necessities.

In high school, Little Nonnie was intelligent, got straight A’s in school, but struggled to fit in. Little Nonnie felt like a country bumpkin around her rich classmates. They wore the finest and most fashionable clothing while she often wore the same inexpensive clothing for several days in a row. Little Nonnie’s home life was difficult. As the eldest daughter in a family without a mother, she was responsible for doing the laundry, cleaning the house, fixing meals, taking care of her younger siblings, and a myriad of other tasks required to keep a household running while her father was working. For these reasons, Little Nonnie did not associate with her classmates.

Little Nonnie graduated from high school early and attended the University of Michigan for a year as a dance major. She planned to become a professional dancer to escape from Michigan, and she was a natural. With the encouragement of one of her teachers, Little Nonnie decided to move to New York to fulfill her dream despite her father’s objections. Her first time in an airplane was her flight from Michigan to New York. From the airport, she took her first taxi ride. With no idea where to go, Little Nonnie told the taxi driver to take her to the center of the city. He dropped her off in Times Square. Little Nonnie immediately experienced the culture shock of coming from the suburbs of the Midwest into the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. She knew no one, had no place to stay, had about $35 in cash, and wore all of the clothing she brought with her. She quickly made friends with someone who asked why she was wearing a winter jacket in the middle of summer. He allowed her to sleep on his couch until she found a place to stay.

Little Nonnie began going to auditions. She knew her dancing career waited just around the corner, but getting around that corner proved harder than she had expected. In the meantime, Little Nonnie worked at whatever job she could find including a short stint as a hat check girl at the Russian Tea Room, a job she was fired from for wearing fishnet stockings although she was only visible from the waist up, and an even shorter stint at Dunkin’ Donuts, a job she was fired from for playfully squirting jelly on customers. While waiting for her big break, Little Nonnie’s apartment was burglarized repeatedly. She was mugged. She was raped.

Despite all the obstacles, Little Nonnie never gave up. She eventually became a dancer, but her talents led her to a blend of world renown and controversy. The highest selling musical artists of all time in order are Elvis, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, and then Little Nonnie. Although some members of her family still refer to her as Little Nonnie, the rest of the world knows Louise Ciccone by her first name, Madonna.

Source: “The Howard Stern Show 2015 Madonna,” Vincenzo Depalma, June 20, 2024, YouTube video, 1:15:35, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El0crjdU2Nw

On May 28, National Hamburger Day invites Americans to celebrate the iconic sandwich that has become a culinary canvas. In Louisiana, this day takes on a flavorful twist, showcasing the state’s unique spin on the classic burger.

While the traditional hamburger consists of a beef patty between two buns, Louisiana chefs infuse it with local flair. Think burgers topped with crawfish étouffée, fried green tomatoes, or spicy remoulade sauce. These creations reflect the state’s rich culinary heritage, blending Cajun and Creole influences.

Restaurants across the state are known for their inventive burgers. In Baton Rouge, “Bayou Burgers” offers patties infused with andouille sausage, while New Orleans’ “Creole Buns” serves up burgers with a side of jazz. These establishments not only provide delicious meals but also celebrate the state’s diverse culture.

To mark the occasion, many towns host burger cook-offs, inviting locals to showcase their grilling prowess. These events foster community spirit and friendly competition, with proceeds often supporting local charities.

National Hamburger Day in Louisiana is more than a nod to a beloved food—it’s a celebration of the state’s ability to take a classic and make it uniquely its own. It’s a day to indulge, innovate, and appreciate the flavors that define the region.

Pamela Gail Hubenak
December 14, 1966 — May 18, 2025
Service: Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11 am at Souled Out For Christ Ministries, 6773 Texas Highway in Many

Joan Sneed
September 30, 1938 — May 24, 2025
Service: Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. Jospeh Catholic Church, 307 Hammond St. in Zwolle

Sabine Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge.)

You may email them to SPJContent@sabineparishjournal.com

A graveside service for Betty Springer Craig, 77, will be held Monday, May 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home. Officiating the service will be Father Timothy Hurd.

Betty was born on October 19, 1947 to Joseph Leo Springer and Helen Rose Michael Springer in Many, Louisiana and passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry R. Craig and her parents, Joseph and Helen Springer. She is survived by her son, Randall Craig and wife, Stacey, of New Llano, Louisiana; daughters, Cindy Anderson and husband, Kenneth, of Many, Louisiana and Kerry Craig of Many, Louisiana; sister, Karen Springer Womack and husband, Henry, of Converse, Louisiana; brothers, Mike Springer of Many, Louisiana, Ronald Springer and wife, Merle, of Many, Louisiana, and Kelly Springer and wife, Cara, of Grand Cane, Louisiana; 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Honoring Betty as pallbearers will be Mike “Leo” Springer, Ronald Springer, Kelly Springer, Wade Springer, Travis Womack, and Sean Johnson. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Anderson, Leighton Anderson, Mason Anderson, and Randall Craig, Jr.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell sadly reports a six-year-old female drowned in Toledo Bend Lake on May 19. Sabine Parish Sheriff Dispatch received a 911 call shortly before 6 pm that a child had just been pulled from the lake. The scene was a residence on Dogwood Drive which is off Sportsmans Paradise Road, off of LA Highway 6 West of Many. This would be in the Lanan Bay cove of Toledo Bend Lake. The child was later pronounced deceased at Sabine Medical Center.

The investigation revealed the six-year-old is a special needs child. It appears the child was left unattended and she walked a very short distance from the house to the lake. The mother pulled the child from the lake and began CPR.

Later last night, the mother, Bethany N Stocking (age-27) of Many, was arrested and booked into the Sabine Parish Women’s Jail.

Stocking was charged with:
1-count of Cruelty to Juveniles (Felony).
No bond has been set at this time.

Stocking was on probation from an arrest in 2023 where she pled guilty for cruelty to juveniles and DWI w/child endangerment.

This case remains under investigation and no other details will be released at this time.

BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism today recognized a leader in rural tourism development. Former director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission and former director of the Sabine River Authority, Linda Curtis Sparks was honored with the second annual Lt. Governor’s Rural Tourism Legacy Award.

“Linda has been a tremendous force within the tourism industry. She began her tourism career in the late 1980s when she oversaw the development of the Toledo Bend Reservoir. She worked tirelessly to develop Toledo Bend as a Sportsman’s Paradise top bass fishing destination in the United States,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “While we have so many deserving individuals of this award, Linda was selected as the 2025 recipient because of her dedication and commitment to attracting visitors off the beaten path.”

Sparks held the position of director of the Louisiana Sabine River Authority from 1989-2003. Most recently, she served as director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission from 2006-2022. Linda is currently developing the Zwolle Museum on the Bend.

Sparks has received many awards and recognition such as the Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award, Economic Development Person of the Year, Rural Tourism Award of the Year, and she is an inductee into the Sabine Hall of Fame.

“Tourism is one of the most powerful economic tools we use to uplift rural communities. It tells our story, brings people together, and creates opportunity where it is needed most. My advice to anyone working to improve their community is simple – be resilient, have patience, persevere, and above all have faith. Great things take time,” said Linda Sparks.

The Louisiana Rural Tourism Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have retired from the Louisiana travel and tourism industry but continue to work to enhance their community for visitors.

Nomination criteria include:
– Individual has retired from the Louisiana travel and tourism industry
– Individual made significant contributions to the rural travel and tourism industry
– Individual served in a rural business, convention & visitors center, tourist commission or other tourism-related entity

Many Police Officers will conduct additional patrols from May 19 to June 1 in support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Click it or Ticket initiative. Please wear your seat belt at all times, you could save a life and your own.

The aroma of simmering spices filled the air in Many, Louisiana, as the Sabine Medical Center and Express Care Clinics celebrated Hospital Week with a crowd-pleasing Chili Cookoff.

Mayor Robert Hable, Police Chief Cheryl Wooley, Crystal Goodman Hable, and members of the Many Police Department joined the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce in the mouthwatering task of judging eight uniquely delicious chili entries prepared by hospital staff.

The competition was fierce, with each recipe bringing bold flavors, creative twists, and plenty of heart. Judges praised the culinary talent on display and thanked the staff for their enthusiasm and hard work.

“Our team was blown away by the effort and flavor in every bowl,” said Mayor Hable. “It’s events like this that bring our community together and remind us how much talent we have right here at home.”

First, second, and third-place winners were recognized for their standout dishes, but the real winner of the day was community spirit. Organizers expressed heartfelt thanks to all who participated, making the event a warm and spicy success.

As the bowls were emptied and the judging concluded, one thing became clear—Many knows how to cook up more than just great chili.

Our BOM team in Many attended the Sabine Parish Hall of Fame event. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Twyla Lovelady, Kayla Windham, and Brittany Sepulvado.

By Steve Graf    

I heard a song the other day that said, “Sometimes you’re the bug and sometimes you’re the windshield.” So far this fishing season I’ve been the bug.

My tournament success looks like I have no idea what I’m doing! I’ve been about as competitive as a high school kid fishing against a full-time professional angler. But for me, my confidence remains “hopeful” that I’ll turn this season around.

In 2024 in the ABA Texas Pro League, I was runner-up for the Angler of the Year. Oh, what a difference a year makes, as I’m not even close to being competitive, much less winning an event in 2025. My highest finish is a 12th place at Sam Rayburn. So why has this year been such a grind? Why am I not catching the quality bass I caught last season? I go to church, say my prayers, and do things the right way!

I’ve never cheated in a bass tournament and always want to represent myself and sponsors I’m affiliated with in the proper manner. I don’t ask other anglers for their waypoints or for any other help! One thing I came to the realization of a long time ago as a tournament angler is that it’s hard to go and catch another angler’s fish. Even if you have his waypoints, it’s still hard to catch them.

Is this a God thing? Is He trying to prove a point to me? Or is this just a phase all anglers go through? Whichever way, something must change quickly with only a few tournaments left on the schedule.

Tournament fishing is one of those sports that can bring even a great angler to his knees. It might be the most humbling sport there is. But one thing I like about the sport is the fact that there is no one else to blame for my failures or success than myself.

It’s truly you against the fish and Mother Nature! Excuses are a dime a dozen when things aren’t going an angler’s way. They range from maybe it’s a weather change to the lake is low or too high. It could be that maybe the water temperature is too hot or cold or maybe the spawn is taking place and fish just aren’t biting. Oh, wait a minute, it could be the phase of the moon we’re in, or the fact that there are too many anglers on the water! Ha!

One thing I will never do — quit! I still find bass fishing to be such a mental challenge and look forward to every day I get to spend on the water. But there are days that I wonder why I’m out there trying to catch bass that don’t want to cooperate.

So, I guess the best thing I can do for now is to put my favorite rod in my hand, shut up and keep fishing hard! If you see me on the lake or at a local boat ramp, make sure to stop me and say hello.

‘Til next time, good luck in all your fishing adventures.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Your Guide to Peach Festival Weekend

The 75th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival will take place on June 7, 2025, but the peach celebrations will be going all week long in Ruston, LA!  If you’re planning to spend a full weekend soaking in the sweet peachy charm of Ruston, let this guide help you make the most out of your adventure.

Friday, June 6

Eat:

From June 2-7, enjoy Peach Culinary Crawl, a weeklong tasting tour featuring over 20 local restaurants. Each participating location will offer special peach-inspired items. From peach BBQ and burgers to peach toast, cocktails, and desserts. There’s something to satisfy every craving. The full Culinary Crawl menu is available in late May on the Peach Fest website. 

See:

In celebration of the festival’s 75th anniversary, The Louisiana Peach Festival is collaborating with the Lincoln Parish Museum to present Peach Fest Through the Decades. This special exhibit will showcase memorabilia from the very first Peach Festival all the way through present day.

• Peach fest hack: After visiting the exhibit, explore downtown Ruston to scope out the festival grounds and snap a picture at one of the colorful murals!

Experience: There’s plenty to experience Friday before the festival. 

• Take a stroll through Downtown Ruston and browse the Peach Sidewalk Sale. Participating downtown shops will be offering peachy deals and special promotions from June 2-6. 

• • Peach Fest Hack: Grab a Peach Fest fit at the sidewalk sale to wear at the festival!

• The Peach Parade is a long loved and cherished tradition by festival attendees. The parade will take place in Downtown Ruston on Friday, June 6, at 6PM.
• After the parade, you can head over to the 36th Annual Peach Festival Rodeo for family entertainment, trick riders, and more. The rodeo starts at 8PM.

Saturday, June 7 – Festival Day

Festival activities start at 9:00AM and there’s plenty to eat, see, and experience—all located on the festival grounds.

Eat:
This year, enjoy bites from a variety of food vendors, offering everything from burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, to classic festival treats, refreshing drinks, and tasty snacks. You’ll also want to pay a visit to the Historic Fire Station for a scoop of frosty peach ice cream from the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi. 

• Peach Fest Hack: Ask vendors what their special peach item is! All food vendors create and offer a peachy item just for the Peach Festival.

The festival is also conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Ruston, so there’s plenty of local restaurants you can walk to. 

See:

• Festival Art Displays: Discover art boards and interactive displays by local artists that will be showcased throughout festival grounds.

• Ruston Antique Classic Car Show: Head over to Cadence Bank from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM for the Car Show. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just love vintage charm, this show is sure to impress with its lineup of beautifully restored classic vehicles.
• Drone Show: Stick around till the headliner performance for the Peach Festival’s first ever drone show at 8:45 PM! This transforming sky display will take place before the headlining act to kick off the grand finale to the festival.

Experience: 

• Live Music: Enjoy more than 12 hours of live performances at the Railroad Park stage. With an exciting lineup of artists, the festival’s musical energy will keep you dancing all day long. Don’t miss the headliner, The Band of Heathens, taking the stage after the drone show.
• Kids Alley: A family-friendly zone packed with interactive activities and entertainment to keep the little ones smiling.
• Curated market: The festival will have over 70 vendors, all selling their handmade arts, jewelry, clothing, mugs, decorations, candles, and lots more. Additionally, you can stop by the Peach Fest Sticker Wall in the market—perfect for a fun and unique photo op. 

• • Peach Fest Hack: arrive early to the Curated Market before your favorite vendor sells out. Visit www.lapeachfest.com/vendors to get a sneak peek at what vendors are offering. 

Sunday, June 8

After a Saturday full of adventures, take it slow on Sunday. Sleep in, relax, and savor your last day in town before heading home.

Eat: 

Start your day with a delicious Sunday brunch at Trio’s. Whether you choose a cozy table indoors or enjoy the sunshine on their patio, you’re in for a wonderful dining experience. Looking for a spot closer to downtown? Try Board & Bottle’s Sunday brunch and specialty brunch cocktails.

See: 

While you’re at the festival Saturday, you will likely spot a few of Ruston’s unique bulldog statues scattered throughout downtown. In total, there are 22 bulldogs placed around the city—each with its own charm. Stretch your visit a little longer and turn your Sunday into a scavenger hunt to track down the ones you missed.

Experience: 

Wind down with a peaceful visit to Lincoln Parish Park. This park offers mountain biking and walking trails, kayaking, fishing, and a playground for the kids. It’s the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Ruston and cap off your Peach Festival weekend.

From peachy treats to live tunes and everything in between, the Louisiana Peach Festival is the perfect way to kick off your summer. Soak up the fun, explore Ruston, and celebrate 75 years of sweet traditions and unforgettable memories! 

To learn the insider tips and tricks all seasoned festival goers know, read up on our How to Peach Fest blog.

As Memorial Day approaches, communities across Louisiana are preparing to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday—a solemn day to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

While for many it marks the unofficial start of summer, with long weekends and backyard barbecues, Memorial Day is first and foremost a time to remember the fallen. From the battlefields of World War II and Korea to the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, Louisiana sons and daughters have long served with courage, and many have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Louisiana has a proud and deep-rooted military history. The state is home to Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk), the Louisiana National Guard, and thousands of veterans and active-duty service members. Families throughout the state can trace their heritage to generations of military service, with stories of sacrifice stretching from the Civil War to modern-day deployments overseas.

Memorial Day is our chance to honor those heroes who didn’t make it home—and to support the families they left behind.

Across parishes large and small, Memorial Day is a chance to pause and remember. Some will visit cemeteries, place flags on graves, or share stories of lost loved ones. Others may simply take a quiet moment to reflect on what it means to live in a country where others have laid down their lives for our freedom.

Whether your connection is personal or patriotic, the meaning of Memorial Day resonates in every corner of Louisiana.

In the hustle of modern life, it’s easy to let the deeper significance of Memorial Day fade into the background. But even if there are no formal ceremonies on your schedule, consider ways to honor the day in your own way:

Pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day as part of the National Moment of Remembrance.

Fly an American flag at half-staff until noon.

Teach younger generations about the meaning of the holiday through stories, books, or a visit to a veteran’s memorial.

These small acts carry a powerful message: that we remember, and that we’re grateful.

Here in Louisiana, where tradition and community run deep, Memorial Day holds a special place. It’s a time to reflect not only on the nation’s loss, but on the individual lives and legacies that shaped our neighborhoods, schools, and parishes.

As Monday approaches, may we all take time to honor the fallen, support their families, and renew our commitment to the values they died defending.

Let this Memorial Day be one not just of rest, but of remembrance.

By Doug De Graffenried

I am about to tell you a preacher secret. You must promise me that you will keep this secret between you and me. If this stuff ever got out it might change the face of Christianity as we know it.

Here is the big secret. It is ok when you say, “No.”

I’m not talking about saying “no” to sins and stuff, this is a radical use of the word “no.” You can say “no” to good stuff. We do stuff we really don’t want to do because it is the “right thing” to do. Or because we need to be seen doing this thing. When the preacher asks if you want to serve on the widget committee, no longer will you have to say, “Let me pray about it.” I give you permission to use the word “no” freely and without guilt or shame.

“No” is an underutilized word in our culture. Since we are politically correct, we find ourselves looking for “win-win” solutions in which we avoid using the word “no.” I know that we are to “Just say no to drugs.” I want you to keep going with that, there are good things out there that need a resounding “no” when asked.

I was reminded of this when I was changing my air conditioning filters. I went to my friendly discount store to purchase filters, since they are the only ones who carry my size. I was taking the wrap off the filters.

Just a minute, I need to digress. Why do we need to wrap everything in plastic? Wrapping an air conditioning filter, come on people; that is just dumb. Why do you need to put safety wrap on my chewing gum? See, we are surrounded by people who can’t say, “NO, wrapping an air conditioning filter in plastic is a dumb idea!”

Back to my story, as I unwrapped my filter, I noticed it contained paper over the filter, which was filled with information. Ah, the plastic wrap was holding the useless information papers to the filter! The back of the filter had a page entitled, “Getting to know your filter.” I’m sorry; I don’t want a personal relationship with my filter. I don’t want to read about what my filter filters. I don’t need to know about how many microns it filters. If you do, all I can say is “Get a life!” Someone right now is wasting precious time, “getting to know their filter.”

I said, “No!” I was not going to waste my time “getting to know my filter.”

How much better would your life be if you used the word, “No?” “No” creates margin and gives space to your life. We are all too busy, because we don’t understand the power of “no.” Jesus used it, why shouldn’t you?

You are hereby empowered to do so!